I love whiskey. I offer here a simple dedication to the wonder that is whiskey. Whether it is Scotch, Irish, Japanese, Canadian, bourbon, rye, corn, or malt, here are some reviews, opinions, notes, stories, anecdotes, photos, and warnings on my journey to improve my relationship with this mighty invention. Enjoy and share!

Support Us When You Buy On Amazon

Sunday, April 14, 2013

A Honky-Tonk Whiskey with No Honky-Tonk Blues

George Dickel Rye

So last weekend as we ventured in to a local dive bar to play some pool,
I asked the bartender which rye whiskies she had and she answered, "Uh, we
don't have any... I don't think." I asked, "What's that one there?" (All
I could make out was the green bottle and the word RYE.) She produced a bottle of George Dickel Rye,
and from there the evening just continued to get better.

If the name George Dickel is unfamiliar to you (as it was me), you just
aren't paying attention. Dickel has been making a name for itself in the
whiskey world since around 1870. Dickel's Old No. 8 Brand whiskey competes for
the same market as Jack Daniels Old No. 7.

According to Larry Olmsted, contributor to Forbes.com, "The rye
revival keeps getting better and better..." Personally, I couldn't be
happier to see a resurgence of rye whiskies. Next to some of my favorite
bourbons, there is nothing that I can rely to enjoy as well as the taste of a
new rye whiskey.

Type: Straight Rye WhiskeyOrigin: Tennessee, USA (although for the purists in the audience, the rye is purportedly from Indiana)

George Dickel Rye is a straight rye whisky matured in new charred oak
barrels for at least 5 years, that consists of a mash bill of 95% rye and 5%
malted barley. This 90 Proof whiskey has an amber, golden appearance and its
aroma is a grainy scent with a slight hint of fruit, maybe a little citrus. At 90 Proof, Dickel Rye has a bit of a bite at
first that was a welcome awakening for my honky tonk evening. The rye (true to form) then turns really
smooth and very drinkable. Dickel Rye
has a wonderful spiciness that makes it quite pleasant on the rocks or even
neat. I enjoyed mine neat, with water on the side. (Pool is thirsty work!)

I really enjoyed the Dickel Rye. The evening consisted of rye whiskey, beer,
water, and pool and this spicy spirit was quite memorable. Researching the
pricing online I found that bottles run around $20 to $25, very reasonable for
this tasty spirit. I thought it would be
easier to find another bottle, but apparently, having only come on the market
in November 2012, it is still not widely stocked.

So to sum up, George Dickel Rye is a really enjoyable rye. It is “available”
at a bargain price and has a smooth, spicy, warm taste that goes well with an
evening of pool and honky-tonk music. It
may not have the subtleties or complexities of flavors that one would find in a
finer whiskey, but it has a great flavor, is a smooth drink, at a great price. I
highly recommend this as an alternative to whatever is the “standard pour” at
your bar. Try it neat or on the rocks, chase it with a beer, and may be mix it
with some Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and The Rolling Stones.